Kate Middleton's Four Signature Hairstyles Are Proof That Simplicity Is Timeless

The royal family aren't exactly known for mixing it up, style wise. After all, Prince Charles has been sporting the same two overcoats for decades, and no one's signature style is quite so signature as the Queen's classic monochrome look. So it's not exactly a shock that Prince William's wife, Kate Middleton, doesn't exactly go wild with her locks. And yet, for all of the exciting updos and on-trend cuts that the Pinterests and TikToks of the world might provide, when it comes to timeless elegance, no one proves the power of simplicity quite like the Duchess of Cambridge. In fact, she's relied almost exclusively on the same four low-key hairstyles for her entire tenure in the royal family. So if you need a bit of hair inspiration—be it for a sophisticated wedding look or a style-and-go option for running errands—here's how Kate has turned subtle variations into an iconic aesthetic.

The most famous of Kate's go-to looks, the classic blowout, couldn't be more simple. Here, Kate styled her brunette locks in loose waves for a visit to the The Foundling Museum on March 19, 2019.

Sometimes, the duchess turns up the volume on those waves, brushing them out for a more demure version of classic bombshell curls, like she wore to see the Imperial War Museum on October 31, 2018 in London.

Other times, she opts for a slightly straighter style, adding a subtle bend of the ends of her tresses to add movement and an air of ease. She sported this style to visit the village of Framlingham Earl on June 25, 2020.

No matter how much wave she adds, though, Kate keeps the rest of her hair sleek and shining, for a style that melds casual cool with a healthy dose of polish a la her style for Wimbledon in 2021.

More: Kate Middleton's Favorite Beauty Products

A subtle switch from her usual all-down look, the half-up style is an essential in Kate's repertoire for informal events, like shopping for plants at Fakenham Garden Centre on June 18, 2020.

Of course, the allure of the half-up style is also its versatility, as Kate showed off in a more formal setting while meeting with the President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, in Islamabad on October 15, 2019.

The ladylike style is a perfect way to show off some accessories, as Kate displayed with a earring-necklace-brooch combo paired with her half-up 'do for the closing ceremony of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on May 27, 2021.

How much does Kate love a half-up look? Though an updo is considered classic wedding hair, Kate broke the mold with this half-up style for her big day in 2011, accenting the look with the Cartier Halo Tiara she borrowed for the occasion from Queen Elizabeth.

Many of us think of the simple ponytail as a gym look, but Kate gives ample evidence that we shouldn't underestimate this classic style. Take, for example, this polished one she wore during a tour of the Ulster University Magee Campus on September 29, 2021 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

Of course, as the sportiest royal, Kate certainly makes use of the ponytail for more athletic events as well, as she did while visiting the City of Derry Rugby Club.

She likewise pulled out this classic pulled-back look for a day-to-night style on a busy trip to the National Cricket Academy on October 17, 2019 in Lahore, Pakistan.

But she also explores the more glamorous side of the pony, with this sleek, curled option, which she wore for an event with Chance UK's Early Intervention Programme on October 27, 2015 in London.

When it comes to official royal events, the low bun is a mainstay of Kate's routine, as she showed at the Commonwealth Day celebration in 2019.

In addition to adding a pulled-together touch, Kate also uses the low bun style to accent hair accessories, like this floral hat she wore for Trooping The Colour on June 08, 2019.

Of course, you don't need a hat to make a low bun look effortlessly elegant. Consider Kate's look at a Horse Guards Parade on June 6, 2019 in London.

To switch things up, Kate also adds subtle elements to her low buns to add interest including braids or elaborate weaving, as she wore to the 2019 Royal Ascot.